Each year, 19,000 sex crimes take place in the U.S. military. Women are especially at risk. The Pentagon has found that over the course of their careers, more than one out of four military women will be sexually assaulted. These women are significantly more likely to be raped or otherwise sexually assaulted than civilian women.
Because of the military structure and protocols -- and because these assaults are often perpetrated by superiors -- these women have limited recourse and options for redress.
Mr. President, please use all means at your disposal to reduce these crime rates, create meaningful and realistic protections for victims, set up mechanisms that will make it easier for victims to report these crimes to law enforcement, and ensure that violators face real legal consequences.